Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was reduced from a 50 percent rating to a 10 percent rating, effective October 1, 2024. The appeal challenging this reduction is granted, and the 50 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased rating for left ankle strain and reduction of disability rating for lumbosacral strain. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for her service-connected lumbar disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the severity of her condition without pain medication.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions and service based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for tendinitis of hands, left shoulder status post repair of labral tear, degenerative disc disease of thoracic and lumbar spine, and right ankle strain. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his conditions are related to military service, but VA medical opinions were inadequate in addressing these assertions.,The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder status post repair of labral tear and right ankle strain. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his conditions are related to military service, but VA medical opinions were inadequate in addressing these assertions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral foot disability as secondary to the back disability, effective from March 25, 2019. Service connection was denied for a skin disability and right shoulder condition.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for lumbosacral and cervical disabilities, as well as left hand and finger numbness. The claims are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 9, 2022 for the service connection of adjustment disorder with anxiety, bilateral pes planus, thoracic spondylosis with lumbar spine arthropathy, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition. The matter is now REMANDED for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and low back disability render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting a TDIU effective December 2, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to errors in notification letters.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, including back pain, prostate cancer, depression, bilateral knee pain, and other health issues. The Board granted SMC based on A&A.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and cervical strain (neck strain with muscle spasm) as secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied all claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is April 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including scoliosis and thoracic strain. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected ankle, foot, or shin splint conditions are at least as likely as not (at least approximately balanced or nearly equal) due to or the result of her back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in providing notice of a pre-decisional hearing, and the Veteran is entitled to such a hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating. However, his right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.